Extraction methods and apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to hydrocarbon extraction method and apparatus therefor.

The present invention relates to extraction methods and apparatustherefor.

According to one aspect of the present invention a method and apparatusfor cleaning a vessel, which includes sludge ponds, contaminated with ahydrocarbon is provided.

Industry is reliant upon oil and its derivatives for all manner ofproducts, uses etc. As a consequence there are vast numbers of oilproducing and processing plants around the world. These plants comprisea vast number of storage tanks for crude oil or petroleum products andsludge ponds which over a period of time accumulate large amounts ofsludge and therefore require cleaning from time to time to enablecorrective maintenance and inspection under preventative maintenanceprogrammes. Sludge ponds, also known as land pits, also pose asubstantial environmental hazard which has to be addressed.

As a consequence, heavy sludge deposits in such tanks and ponds must beremoved. These deposits can be up to several metres thick at least inpart.

Existing techniques known for cleaning such contaminated vessels consistof removing such deposits using manual labour, using eg. shovels andbuckets, sometimes with the aid of water under pressure. Diesel may alsobe used as an inexpensive softening agent.

This technique of cleaning is labour intensive, inefficient, and oftenresults in large quantities of contaminated waste water.

It would therefore be advantageous to overcome or alleviate one or moreof the problems associated with the prior art.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for cleaning a vessel contaminated with a sludgecomprising the steps of:

i) generating a vacuum in a conduit.

ii) contacting said sludge with said conduit;

iii) extracting said sludge via said conduit; and

iv) collecting the sludge.

Sludge typically comprises settled solids of hydrocarbons, such asasphaltenes and waxes, and inorganic solids such as sand, scale orbarite. Sludge can comprise water. If asphaltenes are present withwater, then water tends to be entrained in the asphaltenes which makestreatment extremely difficult by methods known in the art.

Preferably the vacuum is generated pneumatically.

Preferably the vacuum is generated by a pump.

The sludge may be heated before and/or during extraction.

The sludge may be softened before and/or during extraction with asolvent.

Such solvents comprise citrus oil extract, preferably orange oil.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there isprovided an apparatus for cleaning a vessel contaminated with a sludge,comprising means for generating a vacuum, a conduit connected to saidmeans for generating a vacuum adapted to extend into the interior of thevessel from said means for generating a vacuum, and to extract thehydrocarbon and means for collecting the extracted hydrocarbon.

Preferably the means for generating a vacuum is pneumatic.

Preferably the means for generating a vacuum is a pump

The apparatus may comprise heating means for heating the hydrocarbonbefore and/or during extraction. This heating means can be created byoil, or electricity, or steam, or gas, or microwave. The heat isdirected at the area to be cleaned with or without a fan, to thehydrocarbon as a whole or by section as appropriate. Preferably theheating means comprises a microwave emitter or heated oil.

Preferably this apparatus includes a suction head attached to saidconduit. Preferably the heating means is bent into said head.

As an alternative to heating means in the apparatus itself, thereceptacle in which the sludge is located may include heating meanswhich may be used to heat the sludge.

The hydrocarbon is preferably heated to a temperature of 40-90° C., morepreferably to a temperature of 65-75° C.

The apparatus is preferably portable.

Means for generating a vacuum, e.g. a suction pump may be operated bydiesel, electricity or air, but preferably air.

The sludge extracted by the vacuuming action is directly transferred toreceptacles such as, but not exclusively, drums, skips or vacuumtankers. Preferably, the sludge is transferred directly into a vacuumtanker.

The types of sludge that can be removed includes but are not limited to,the following list detailed with the acceptable viscosity ranges:

Asphalt (1400 to 2000 cps, but preferably 1750 to 1850 cps)

Bitumen (1000 to 1500 cps but preferably 1150 to 1250 cps)

Crude Oil (400 to 850 cps, but preferably 600 to 700 cps)

Heavy Fuel Oil.

Benefits which may result from use of the present invention include

(a) speed of sludge removal

(b) increased health and safety

(c) avoidance of the conventional multiple handling of sludge, fromshovels, to buckets, to larger containers and eventually to a sludgepond.

(d) avoidance of adverse environmental impact.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method andapparatus for extracting usable hydrocarbon material from waste productsis provided.

Presently sludges comprising settled solids of hydrocarbons, such asasphaltenes and waxes, and inorganic solids such as sand, scale orbarite, which have been removed from oil tanks and other like storagefacilities are dumped on sites such as waste land or in land pits. Suchsites present major management and environmental problems owing to thehigh oil content of the sludges. Such sludges are toxic and hazardous tohealth. In countries which operate high environmental standards, forexample member countries of the European Union and the USA, landfill isnot a viable option. Consequently, such sludges are held in storageuntil a suitable permanent disposal method can be found.

Such landfill sites are in excess of 100 m square and 4 m deep. Indeveloped economies there are stringent restrictions on how and wherewaste can be processed, especially when classified as hazardous tohealth.

In less developed countries, such as those of the Middle East, where amore relaxed view is taken of environmental issues, this waste is spreadover a land mass to allow weathering, i.e evaporation and washing away,to take place without regard to the consequences. In the Middle Eastthis process is referred to as land farming.

In any event such sludges present a major management and environmentalproblem.

These sludges may however contain hydrocarbons that are useful, forexample they may contain hydrocarbons, that are suitable for conversionnad/or processing into bituminous material, which have long been knownas a suitable material for use in the formation of surfaces (e.g. thesurface layers or roadbase of flexible pavement or road structures) forcity streets, highways, airfields and other construction applications aswell as a water-repellent barrier for use in e.g. buildings.

It would be useful, for example to convert sludges to bitumen. Suchbitumen is a finite source obtained from naturally occurring sources orpyrolytically obtained from natural oil. It has been well documentedthat within the next century it is believed that our natural oilreserves will expire.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide an alternative source ofhydrocarbon materials e.g. bitumen, and at the same time alleviateproblems associated with sludge disposal.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for extracting hydrocarbons from waste materialcomprising the steps of:

i) identifying waste material with an economically valuable orenvironmentally hazardous concentration of hydrocarbons;

ii) treating the waste material to render the hydrocarbons moresusceptible to extraction;

iii) extracting the hydrocarbons from the waste material;

iv) optionally further processing the extracted hydrocarbons into ausable product.

The concentration of hydrocarbons within the waste material ispreferably more than 20% hydrocarbon oil by volume.

The treatment of the waste material to render the hydrocarbons moresusceptible to extraction may be performed by a number of methods.Preferably, the treatment means is by the use of heat and/or solvents.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for extracting hydrocarbons from solid waste materialcomprising the steps of:

i) mixing the solid waste material with a solvent;

ii) extracting the majority of the hydrocarbons from the mixture;

iii) heating the remaining waste hydrocarbons in the mixture to atemperature of at least 40° C.;

iv) extracting the remaining waste hydrocarbons;

v) optionally further processing the extracted hydrocarbons into ausable product.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for extracting hydrocarbons from sludge comprising thesteps of:

i) heating the waste hydrocarbons to a temperature of at least 40° C.;

ii) extracting the majority of the hydrocarbons;

iii) mixing the remaining waste hydrocarbons with a solvent;

iv) extracting the remaining waste hydrocarbons;

v) optionally further processing the extracted hydrocarbons into ausable product.

In accordance with further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for extracting hydrocarbons from sludge comprising thesteps of:

i) identifying sludge comprising more than 20% hydrocarbons by volume;

ii) heating said waste hydrocarbons to a temperature of at least 40° C.;

iii) extracting said heated waste hydrocarbons;

iv) optionally further processing the extracted hydrocarbons into ausable product.

A variety of methods used to identify sludge comprising more than 20%hydrocarbons by volume may be employed, for example solvent extraction,heat extraction, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and infra redspectrometry may be used.

The present invention allows the sludge to be collected for use as a rawmaterial. This can then be processed as fluxent oil to be mixed withbitumen during the oxidisation process into bitumen and the like.

The sludge used may contain contaminants e.g. aggregate.

Preferably, the hydrocarbons are heated to a temperature of 40-90° C.More preferably, the hydrocarbons are heated to a temperature 65-75° C.

Preferably, the average percentage of hydrocarbons by volume in thesludge starting material is at least 50%.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided an apparatus for extracting recyclable hydrocarbons from wastehydrocarbons contaminated with aggregate comprising:

means for heating said hydrocarbons to a temperature of at least 40° C.and means for extracting and/or transferring said heated wastehydrocarbon to a storage means.

Preferably the waste hydrocarbons are heated to a temperature in therange of 40- to 90° C., more preferably, to a temperature on the range65-75° C.

The means for heating may comprise a coil or a bank of tubes having acirculating liquid of thermal oil/vapour/gas or electric elements.Preferably the heating means comprise oil filled tubes.

Preferably, the hydrocarbon is heated to a depth of between 20 cm-60 cmfrom the upper surface of the sludge, more preferably, 40-45 cm.

The heater may be directed by immersing the heater in the sludge ordirecting the heat by blowers or by other directional device.Preferably, the heater is immersed in the sludge. The heater may also beplaced in an area or a discrete part of the sludge to enable localisedhydrocarbon extraction.

The method may be used on waste material such as asphalt, bitumen, heavyfuel oil, crude oil, animal fats, vegetable oil. Preferably, it is usedon bitumen.

In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention thereis provided a method for extracting hydrocarbons from solid wastematerial comprising the steps of:

i) mixing the solid waste material with a solvent;

ii) extracting the hydrocarbons from the mixture;

iii) optionally further processing the extracted hydrocarbons into ausable product.

The solid waste material may comprise lumps of bitumen, asphaltenes andcompacted oily sand.

The solvent may comprise of one or more solvents selected from anaqueous solvent, a non-aqueous solvent or water.

Preferably, the steps of contacting the solid material with water andmixing with a solvent is performed in a treatment area, which maycomprise an excavation lined with an impermeable barrier. Suchimpermeable barriers may be constructed out of concrete or polythene.

The solvent used in extracting the hydrocarbons from the solid wastematerial is preferably an orange oil derivative. Other solvents such asaliphatic hydrocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbon and chlorinated solvents,may also be used.

Preferably, the mixing of the solid material, water and solvent is bymeans of a trommel; a rotating drum, an Archimedes screw, a paddlemixer, a spray bar over moving conveyor, a screen or an attritionscrubber. Those skilled in the art will realise that the exact deviceused will be dictated by the volume of the waste matter being treated.

The means by which the hydrocarbons may be separated from the water maycomprise a rotating disc or floating head skimmer.

According to another aspect of the present invention relates to afiltration apparatus and a method of filtration is provided.

Many processing plants give rise to exhaust gas streams which containliquids and solid particulate material which enter and pollute theatmosphere. Such harmful substances can fall out of suspension as thegases disperse or else condense with water droplets and fall as rain.

Stringent environmental policies in certain parts of the world encouragethe use of filters or scrubbers to clean up the emissions from chimneysand other sources. These devices are inefficient, dependent uponchemical activity and require frequent maintenance to ensure that theyare functioning correctly.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided an apparatus for filtering air said apparatus comprising aplurality of chambers which communicate with one another in series, suchthat air can pass from one chamber to another, each of which comprisesmeans for generating a vortex.

This invention involves the use of a series of chambers through whichthe air to be cleaned e.g. an emission from an industrial plant passeswithout any external energy being introduced. The generation of thevortex displaces the air in a direction away from the centre of thechambers causing a pressure drop and consequently a cooling action.

The diameter of the chamber is such that it can effectively deceleratethe speed of the volume of air entering the chamber. The height of thechamber is such that there is sufficient airspace above the level ofcondensation in the bottom of the chamber to prevent the condensationfrom being drawn upwards by the outward flow of air into the nextchamber.

The means for generating the vortex may comprise at least one conicalplate. Mechanical means for generating a the vortex may also be used.

The deceleration of the speed of the air causes an expansion withcooling. The continuing inflow of air causes the air to be forcedbetween the outer rim of the conical plate and the internal side wall ofthe chamber. This gives rise to a vortex.

Preferably, the at least one conical plate comprises a drainage channelaround the outside edge, past which the condensed solids and liquids candrain. Each plate may be perforated, solid or of slatted construction,but preferably is solid.

One or more of the chambers may be sprayed externally with a coolingfluid to provide an additional cooling action.

The solids and liquid condensates which are removed from the gas streamare all recoverable from the bases of the individual chambers whencethey can be recycled or collected for disposal.

More specifically, the waste gases containing the liquids and solidsdestined for removal are passed either by natural flow or with fanassistance from their origin into the chamber system. Preferably thisprocess is carried out without the use of fan assistance.

The cooling fluid may be applied through spray nozzles and may or maynot be refrigerated, but preferably it is not refrigerated. The coolingfluid can drain into a reservoir whence it is recirculated over thechambers as a continuous flow.

This cooling fluid might be water, hydrocarbon solvent or liquefied gas,but preferably water.

The chambers can be constructed of mild steel, stainless steel, othermetal or fibre glass or reinforced plastic, but preferably of mildsteel. The steel may or not be coated internally or externally, butpreferably should not be coated externally.

Unfiltered gases can be fed via pipe work of internal diameter in therange of 8 inches to 15 inches. But preferably 10 inches.

The number of chambers in the apparatus is preferably in the range of 5to 15 more preferably 7 to 9. Preferably one or more of the first threetanks, and more preferably at least the first tank is not subject toexternal cooling by fluid. The remaining tanks are preferably subjectedto an external spray of a fluid which will produce a cooling effect bythe process of evaporation.

The height to diameter ratio of the chambers is preferably in the rangeof 4:1 to 6:1 more preferably 4:1, 5:1 or 6:1, and most preferably 5:1.The chambers in the apparatus may be of differing sizes or of only onesize, but are preferably all of one size.

The location of the means for generating a vortex (e.g. the conicalplate) within the chamber can be at the same height from the bottom ineach tank or can be staggered relative to one another along a fixedgradient, such that they are linearly staggered with respect to oneanother.

The conical plate is preferably situated in the range of 5 cm to 35 cmfrom the delivery end of the inlet pipe and more preferably situated ata distance of about 25 cm. The distance between the conical plate andthe delivery end of the inlet pipe forces the gas stream outwards andinto the downward vortex. The gas then rises again through the centre ofthe chamber and when it further comes into contact with the underside ofthe conical plate, the gas accelerates once again around the edges ofthe plate to form a new upward moving vortex in the opposite directionof the incoming gas stream. This creates turbulence which in turnreleases more liquid as condensate.

Condensate and solids may be collected in the base of the tank and maybe removed as required through drainage cocks, pumping or other physicalextraction depending on the nature of the deposit.

The exit gases from the chimney stack at the end of the process areapproximately 15° C. below ambient temperature.

Where the emissions are heavily dust laden e.g. through a cold process,sufficient energy to activate the movement of the unfiltered gassesthrough the might require the use of a blower without the addition ofheat to create sufficient air movement

The system can be used for air conditioning systems, where a simpleblower would replace the need for the conventional refrigeration,thereby substantially reducing energy consumption.

The system may also be used as a filtration device for air purificatione.g. in situations where there is medical need or clean roomrequirement, in this case the cyclone would perform the function withjust an air blower.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided an apparatus for filtering gas comprising one or morecontaminants, said apparatus comprising a plurality of chambers whichcommunicate with one another in series, such that gas can pass from onechamber to another, at least one of the chambers comprising an inletport, an outlet port, an internal baffle and a receiving region belowthe baffle for receiving contaminants, wherein said outlet port isdisposed above said baffle such that gas can pass from one chamber toanother whilst contaminants are retained in the receiving region of thechamber.

The baffle may be shaped to generate a vortex. Preferably, the baffle isconical in shape.

The contaminants may be solids and/or liquids. The contaminants may bederived from an industrial process, such as waste from an oxidationtower.

The apparatus may further comprise any one or more of the abovementioned features.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of filtering air comprising the use of an apparatus asdescribed hereinabove.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method comprising any one or more of the embodiments of themethod for cleaning a vessel contaminated with a hydrocarbon, the methodfor extracting usable hydrocarbon material from waste products and themethod of filtration described hereinabove.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a system comprising any one or more of the embodiments of theapparatus for cleaning a vessel contaminated with a hydrocarbon, theapparatus for extracting usable hydrocarbon material from waste productsand the filtration apparatus described hereinabove.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures andexamples, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a process diagram of a method for extracting hydrocarbonmaterial from liquid and solid phase waste; and

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for filtering air FIG. 1 illustratesapparatus 10 includes a pump 12 in liquid communication with a holdingtank 14. Attached to pump 12 is a flexible conduit or hose 16 which isattached at its other end to an elongate, rigid hollow cylindricalmember or wand 18.

Elongate member 18 has a slightly smaller diameter than hose 16 andtherefor there is an adaptor 20 to ensure that the seal between the hoseand elongate member 18 is airtight.

The other end of elongate member 18 communicates with an elongate head22 whose longitudinal axis is perpendicular to that of elongate member18. Head 22 has an opening 24 which communicates with elongate member18. Disposed within the head 22 and adjacent to said opening is amicrowave emitter 26.

During use, pump 12 is switched on to create a vacuum or suction at theopening 24 of head 22, which is placed adjacent to the hydrocarbon in acontaminated vessel whilst at the same time microwave emitter 26 softensthe hydrocarbon by heating it to a temperature between 65-75° C.

Pump 12 creates a vacuum and the hydrocarbon is extracted and conveyedalong the elongate member 18 and the hose 16 to the holding tank 14.

The following examples relate to FIG. 2.

EXAMPLE 1

The method for extracting hydrocarbon material from sludge in the liquidphase is as follows.

With reference to FIG. 2, the heater 31 is immersed in the sludge in adedicated sludge pit 32. The heater in this example covers an area of 6m² and can be a standard thermal oil heater. The heater comprises acontinuously shaking coil 33, filled with thermal oil. The diameter ofthe coil is typically about 5 cm, although a coil in the range of 1.25cm to 10.25 cm could also be used. The sinuosity of the coils isapproximately 25 cm, but a coil with sinuosity in the range of 10 cm to50 cm would also be acceptable. The heating temperature will depend uponthe hydrocarbon concentration within the sludge.

A suction hose is laid above the heater coil, the diameter of thesuction hose typically being about 10 cm in diameter. The size of thesuction hose ensures that there is heat transfer into the hose, therebykeeping the sludge warm and mobile. In this regard, the suction hose mayalternatively have a diameter in the range of 5 cm to 16 cm. The suctionhose is connected to a displacement gear pump 34 for viscous materialswhich will typically be a diaphragm or a centrifugal pump.

A delivery pipe from the pump 34 feeds directly into the top of a heatedtanker 35 for transport to a processing plant 36, where the recoveredmaterial is blended with hot bitumen and is then converted by standardmeans into waterproofing membrane or other such products or materials.

The liquid remaining in the sludge pit 32 may still contain a lowquantity of hydrocarbons and can be processed further by pumping theliquid to a separation tank 38, via pump 37. The separation tank willseparate water from hydrocarbons either over time or by heating and thehydrocarbons can then be moved to the heated tanker 35 for transport toa processing plant 36. The remaining water would contain a very lowconcentration of hydrocarbons and thus may deemed to be within a safeenvironmental limit. In this instance, the water may be allowed toevaporate in an evaporation pond 39.

EXAMPLE 2

The method for extracting hydrocarbon material from solid phase/materialis as follows.

With reference to FIG. 2, the solid phase, which may comprise lumps ofbitumen, asphaltenes and compacted oily sand 40 are skimmed off by frontloader or excavator 42 down to the level where contamination levels arewithin acceptable levels. The materials are then transferred to atreatment area 44 by means of a dumper truck 43. A treatment area 44 maybe an excavation lined with an impermeable barrier such as concrete orpolythene which will be half filled with water.

The oily matter is mixed with a suitable solvent, such as a solvent witha main active ingredient being an orange oil derivative. Other solventssuch as aliphatic hydrocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbon and chlorinatedsolvent, may also be used.

The solvent is then mixed with the oily matter. This can be achieved bya number of devices such as a trommel; a rotating drum, an Archimedesscrew, a paddle mixer, a spray bar over moving conveyor, a screen, or anattrition scrubber, the exact device used is dictated largely on thevolume of the waste matter being treated.

With the solvent types listed above, the oil/solvent will have atendency to settle on top of the water. The exception is the chlorinatedtype where the solvent/oil will be heavier than water and this solventmay require additional processing steps which are not outlined in thisexample.

The waste matter containing the solvent is then pushed through the waterin the treatment area by an Archimedes screw, to enable thorough mixingwith the water.

Periodically, the process is halted to allow for separation of the oilfrom the water. At this point the free oil would be skimmed from thesurface by means of a rotating disc or floating head skimmer andtransferred directly to tankers for transfer to the manufacturing plant36 for further processing (as described in example 1).

If the original material contained sand, the cleaned sand can then beexcavated from the containment area and held for eventual return to theoriginal site for further processing or disposal.

Alternatively, the cleaned sand 41 can be further cleaned by using thesludge pit 32, in the process outlined in example 1. This process canalso be used if the sand 40 has a low concentration of hydrocarbons andthe process of using the sludge pit 32 would be more effective thanusing a sand treatment area 44.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an apparatus for filtering air.

A filtration apparatus 110 consists of seven vertically disposed,elongate cylindrical chambers 112 having a planar base 114, a conicalshaped top 116 and a cylindrical side wall 118. An inlet port 120 isradially disposed in side wall 118 and an outlet port 122 in conical top116. Outlet port 122 extends into chamber 112 and terminates near to theapex of conical plate 124. Movement of the contaminated gas over theconical plate 124 creates a vortex.

The chambers 112 are disposed in series and communicate with adjacentchambers via port 122 from one chamber which becomes inlet port 120 forthe next chamber. In each successive chamber the height at which conicalplates 124 are disposed relative to one another is staggered along afixed gradient, such that they are linearly staggered.

All but the first of the chambers are disposed in a tank 126. The secondto seventh chambers are subjected to external spraying with a coolingfluid to facilitate condensation of gases and thereby augmentfiltration. The cooling fluid is applied to the external surface of thechambers by spraying nozzles (not illustrated) and is collected in thetank 126 for recirculating. Consequently, a continuous flow of coolingfluid can be maintained.

Contaminants are collected at the bottom of the chambers 112 whereextraction means 128, such as a liquid drain valve, facilitate removalof retained contaminants from the chambers 112.

The outlet port of the final chamber 112 communicates with a chimney 130which facilitates the flow of filtered gas into the atmosphere.

1. A method for cleaning a vessel contaminated with a sludge comprisingthe steps of: i) generating a vacuum in a conduit; ii) contacting saidsludge with said conduit; iii) extracting said sludge via said conduit;and iv) collecting the sludge.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the vacuum is generated pneumatically.
 3. A method as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the vacuum is generated by a pump.
 4. A method asclaimed in claim 1, comprising the step of contacting the sludge with asolvent.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the solventcomprises a citrus oil extract.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5,wherein the solvent is orange oil.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the sludge is heated to a temperature in the range of 40-90° C.8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sludge is heated to atemperature in the range of 65-75° C.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the sludge comprises one or more of the group comprisingasphalt, bitumen, crude oil and heavy oil.
 10. An apparatus for cleaninga vessel contaminated with a sludge, comprising means for generating avacuum, a conduit connected to said means for generating a vacuumadapted to extend into the interior of the vessel from said means forgenerating a vacuum, and to extract the hydrocarbon and means forcollecting the extracted hydrocarbon.
 11. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the vacuum is generated pneumatically.
 12. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 10, further comprising means for heatingthe hydrocarbon before and/or during extraction.
 13. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the means for heating the hydrocarboncomprises a microwave emitter or heated oil.
 14. An apparatus as claimedin claim 12, wherein said means for heating the hydrocarbon is disposedadjacent to an opening in the conduit.
 15. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the apparatus is portable.
 16. (canceled)
 17. A methodfor extracting hydrocarbons from waste material comprising the steps of:i) identifying waste material with an economically valuable orenvironmentally hazardous concentration of hydrocarbons; ii) treatingthe waste material to render the hydrocarbons more susceptible toextraction; iii) extracting the hydrocarbons from the waste material;iv) optionally further processing the extracted hydrocarbons into ausable product.
 18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein thehydrocarbons in the waste material comprise more than 20% hydrocarbonoil by volume.
 19. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein thetreatment of the waste material to render the hydrocarbons moresusceptible to extraction comprises the use of heat and/or solvents. 20.A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the extracted hydrocarbons aremixed with bitumen.
 21. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein thehydrocarbons are heated to a temperature of 40 90° C.
 22. A method asclaimed in claim 21, wherein the hydrocarbons are heated to atemperature of 65-95° C.
 23. A method as claimed in claim 17, whereinthe average percentage of hydrocarbons by volume in the waste materialis at least 50%.
 24. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein thehydrocarbon is heated to a depth of between 20-60 cm from the uppersurface of the sludge.
 25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein thehydrocarbon is heated to a depth of between 40-45 cm.
 26. A method asclaimed in claim 17, wherein the waste material comprises one or morefrom the group comprising asphalt, bitumen, heavy fuel oil, crude oil,animal fats and vegetable oil.
 27. A method for extracting hydrocarbonsfrom solid waste material comprising the steps of: i) mixing the solidwaste material with a solvent; ii) extracting the majority of thehydrocarbons from the mixture; iii) heating the remaining wastehydrocarbons in the mixture to a temperature of at least 40° C.; iv)extracting the remaining waste hydrocarbons; v) optionally furtherprocessing the extracted hydrocarbons into a usable product.
 28. Amethod for extracting hydrocarbons from sludge comprising the steps of:i) heating the waste hydrocarbons to a temperature of at least 40° C.;ii) extracting the majority of the hydrocarbons iii) mixing theremaining waste hydrocarbons with a solvent; iv) extracting theremaining waste hydrocarbons; v) optionally further processing theextracted hydrocarbons into a usable product.
 29. A method forextracting hydrocarbons from sludge comprising the steps of: i)identifying sludge comprising more than 20% hydrocarbons by volume; ii)heating said waste hydrocarbons to a temperature of at least 40° C.;iii) extracting said heated waste hydrocarbons; iv) optionally furtherprocessing the extracted hydrocarbons into a usable product.
 30. Anapparatus for extracting recyclable hydrocarbons from waste hydrocarbonscontaminated with aggregate comprising: means for heating saidhydrocarbons to a temperature of at least 40° C. and means forextracting and/or transferring said heated waste hydrocarbon to astorage means.
 31. An apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein themeans for heating comprises a coil or a bank of tubes having acirculating liquid of thermal oil/vapour/gas or electric elements. 32.An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the means for heatingcomprises oil filled tubes.
 33. A method for extracting hydrocarbonsfrom solid waste material comprising the steps of: i) mixing the solidwaste material with a solvent; ii) extracting the hydrocarbons from themixture; iii) optionally further processing the extracted hydrocarbonsinto a usable product.
 34. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein thesolid waste material comprises bitumen, asphalt and compacted oily sand.35. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the solvent comprises oneor more selected from the group comprising aqueous solvent, non-aqueoussolvent and water.
 36. A method as claimed in claim 35, wherein thesolvent is an orange oil derivative, aliphatic hydrocarbon, aromatichydrocarbon or a chlarciated solvent.
 37. An apparatus for filtering airsaid apparatus comprising a plurality of chambers which communicate withone another in series, such that air can pass from one chamber toanother, each of which comprises means for generating a vortex.
 38. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the means for generating avortex comprises at least one conical plate.
 39. An apparatus as claimedin claim 38, wherein the at least one conical plate comprises a drainagechannel.
 40. An apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein the at leastone conical plate is perforated, solid or slatted.
 41. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 37, comprising means for externally spraying theplurality of chambers with cooling fluid.
 42. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 41, wherein the means for externally spraying the chamberscomprise spray nozzles.
 43. An apparatus as claimed in claim 41 whereinthe cooling fluid comprises water, hydrocarbon solvent or liquefied gas.44. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the number of chambersin the apparatus is in the range of 5 to
 15. 45. An apparatus as claimedin claim 44 wherein the number of chambers is in the range of 7 to 9.46. An apparatus as claimed in claim 41 wherein the first chamber is notcooled with external cooling fluid.
 47. An apparatus as claimed in claim37, wherein the height to diameter ratio of the chamber is in the rangeof 4:1 to 6:1.
 48. An apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein theheight to diameter ratio of the chamber is 5:1.
 49. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 37 wherein the means for generating a vortex isdispersed with each chamber at the same height from the bottom of thechamber or linearly staggered.
 50. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37wherein each chamber comprises an inlet and an outlet.
 51. An apparatusas claimed in claim 50, wherein the means for generating a vortex isdisposed in the range 5 to 35 cm below the inlet pipe.
 52. An apparatusas claimed in claim 50 wherein the outlet pipe is disposed above theinlet pipe.
 53. An air conditioning system comprising an apparatus asclaimed in claim
 37. 54. An apparatus for filtering gas comprising oneor more contaminants, said apparatus comprising a plurality of chamberswhich communicate with one another in series, such that gas can passfrom one chamber to another, at least one of the chambers comprising aninlet port, an outlet port, an internal baffle and a receiving regionbelow the baffle for receiving contaminants, wherein said outlet port isdisposed above said baffle such that gas can pass from one chamber toanother whilst contaminants are retained in the receiving region of thechamber.
 55. An apparatus as claimed in claim 54 wherein the baffle isshaped to generate a vortex.
 56. An apparatus as claimed in claim 55,wherein the baffle is conical in shape.
 57. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 54, wherein the contaminants are solids and/or liquids.
 58. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 54, wherein the contaminants contain oneor more hydrocarbons.
 59. A method of filtering air comprising the useof an apparatus as claimed in claim
 37. 60. A method of extraction asclaimed in claim 17 comprising between steps I) and ii) a method asclaimed claim
 1. 61. A method of extraction as claimed in claim 1subsequently comprising the method of claim
 27. 62. A method ofextraction as claimed in claim 28 wherein steps I) and/or ii) comprisethe method of claim
 1. 63. A method of extraction as claimed in claim 29wherein steps ii) and/or iii) comprise the method of claim
 1. 64. Amethod of extraction as claimed in claim 1 subsequently comprising amethod as claimed in claim
 33. 65. A method of extraction as claimed inclaim 17 subsequently comprising the method of claim
 59. 66. A method ofextraction as claimed in claim 27 subsequently comprising the method ofclaim
 59. 67. A method of extraction as claimed in claim 28 subsequentlycomprising the method of claim
 59. 68. A method of extraction as claimedin claim 29 subsequently comprising the method of claim
 59. 69. A methodof extraction in claim 33 subsequently comprising the method of claim59.
 70. A method of extraction as claimed in claim 60 further comprisingthe method of claim
 59. 71. (canceled)
 72. (canceled)
 73. (canceled) 74.(canceled)
 75. An extraction system comprising apparatus as claimed inclaim 10 further comprising an apparatus as claimed in claim
 30. 76. Anextraction system comprising apparatus as claimed in claim 30 furthercomprising an apparatus as claimed in claim
 37. 77. An extraction systemcomprising apparatus as claimed in claim 10 further comprising anapparatus as claimed in claim 30 and/or an apparatus as claimed in claim37.
 78. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the method of claim59.